Sperm Process
1. Use zspheres to create basic form
3. Create several variation using both rigging and deformation tools (within ZBrush)
4. Export sperm individually to Blender and use particles systems to composite the swarm around the ovum
5. Import back to ZBrush and finesse and apply material
Basic model variations (left) and arranged in Blender (right)
BPR Renders from ZBrush
Scenes were lit with custom lightcaps and rendered with ZBrush.
Ovum Process:
1. Establish basic form with PM3D sphere
2. Subdivide and add detail/sculpt, both with different custom alpha brushes and ‘manual’ detail work to finesse
3. Apply/edit material and add polypaint
Corona Radiata Process:
1. Create basic form from PM3D sphere
3. Composite CR cells around ovum using zspheres (using “Insert Local Mesh” with Classic Skinning)
note: though this method was work intensive, a benefit was that each cell was automatically assigned its own polygroup. The cumulus oophorous was arranged with a Blender particle system.
4. Add surface variation, surface noise, material
Compositing
Render passes were composited and edited in Photoshop (and color variations/styles explored). Design elements/layering/typography was also added in Photoshop.
A subtle graysclae variation (left) and vibrant ‘moody’ variation (right). The look of both is lovely, but the grayscale was too calm for purposes of this project, and the darker variation ended up being a little too moody.
Full Illustration
